This Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and uses just one pot for a easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the veggies or proteins to suit your taste, or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to utilize whatever odds and ends you have lying around. Trust me, you’re going to want this recipe in your back pocket!
Ingredient Breakdown
- Chicken Thighs
- 2 tablespoons Canola Oil
- 1/4 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of cornstarch
- 1 Egg
- Pinches of salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup of orange juice and the zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons of white sugar and 4 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of hot pepper flakes
How to Make This Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
In a mixing dish, combine all the sauce ingredients, orange juice, soy sauce, sugars, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, hot pepper flakes, vinegar, and water, and whisk them together until smooth. Set aside.
In a separate small dish, mix the egg with a couple pinches of salt and pepper, plus 1 tablespoon of canola oil. In another shallow dish, whisk together the flour and cornstarch.
Now, heat up about 1-2 inches of canola oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. You want the oil to reach about 375°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, toss in a tiny bit of batter, if it sizzles, you’re good to go!
While waiting for the oil to heat, dunk the chicken chunks first in the egg mixture, then coat them with the flour and cornstarch mixture.
Carefully place a few pieces of chicken in the hot oil, do not overcrowd the pan, and fry until golden brown and crunchy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Use tongs to flip them, and then place the fried chicken on a cooling rack to let the excess oil drain off.
Once the chicken is done, carefully remove most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Pour in the orange sauce, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and stir occasionally for about 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the fried chicken back in, tossing to coat every last piece with that delicious orange sauce.
Serve hot, alongside white rice, and feel free to garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for that extra flair!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I’m craving that signature Panda Express flavor but want to keep it homemade. It’s comforting, flavorful, and so easy to prep after a long day. Seriously, I’m a real sucker for that sweet and tangy sauce! The best part is you can make it your own: add whatever veggies you have lying around, or make it spicier if that’s your thing. You really can’t go wrong here!
If you enjoyed this Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken, be sure to check out my Copycat McChicken Sandwich, my Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, or my Homemade Chili Sriracha Hot Sauce!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you just need dinner on the table fast!
Crowd-Pleaser
The whole family will love it! My picky toddler often asks for seconds. Seriously, it’s that good!
Customizable
Use whatever ingredients you have on hand to mix it up. Got bell peppers? Toss ’em in! Leftover veggies? They’ll fit right in here.
Comfort Food
This orange chicken is loaded with tons of flavor! Between the sweetness, the spice, and that amazing crunch, it’s pure comfort food in every bite.
One Pot Wonder
Minimal cleanup required, just one pan for frying and one for making the sauce. Oh, and maybe a bowl for mixing the egg… but that’s it!
Serving and Storage Tips
You can pair this Orange Chicken with fluffy white rice or even fried rice for the perfect meal combo. It’s also fantastic with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or your favorite stir-fried veggies.
Storage: Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, but if you’re in a rush, the microwave works, too! Just make sure to cover it so it doesn’t dry out.
Freezer Friendly: Yes! You can freeze it for up to three months; just make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating!
And that’s it! You’ve just made a quick and easy Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken that tastes just as great as the real deal, and I promise, it’s way more fun to enjoy at home. Happy cooking! Enjoy! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- In a mixing dish, combine orange juice, soy sauce, sugars, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, hot pepper flakes, vinegar, and water. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- In a separate small dish, mix the egg with salt, pepper, and canola oil.
- In another shallow dish, whisk together flour and cornstarch.
- Heat 1-2 inches of canola oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until it reaches about 375°F.
- Dunk chicken chunks in the egg mixture, then coat them with the flour and cornstarch mixture.
- Carefully place coated chicken in the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Use tongs to flip the chicken and place on a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
- Remove most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Pour in the orange sauce, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and stir occasionally for about 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the fried chicken back in, tossing to coat with the sauce.
- Serve hot alongside white rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.